Celebrating 40 Years

The Southern Poverty Law Center in Montgomery, Alabama celebrated its 40th Anniversary during the weekend of April 30-May 1, 2011. Our class helped the law center commemorate this momentous occasion by making two banners for them. One had positive remarks written by each child in class; and the other banner had 36 handprints in differing flesh-tones proclaiming that all of us are special in some way. (Double click on the photo to view the banners.) The banners were visible during a Skype call with SPLC staff and co-founding attorney, Joseph H. Levine, Jr.

Morris Dees, the other founder of the SPLC and lead attorney for the firm, was also scheduled to speak to the class. The SPLC represents the underserved and does not charge its clients attorneys' fees nor does it share in its clients' settlements. It is completely funded through donations.

The children sang "It Could Be a Wonderful World" during the Skype visit and then shared individually how each of them has contributed to a positive atmosphere in both the classroom and throughout the school. Mr. Levine commended the class for its positive peacemaking efforts and encouraged them to continue their positive actions. Teaching Tolerance associate editor, Lisa Ann Williamson, was also in attendance. She wrote a brief article praising the children's kindnesses toward others. View the article by copying the following address into your web browser: http://www.tolerance.org/blog/it-could-be-wonderful-world

2D Science Fair Entries

The school Scence Fair was held on Thursday, April 7 in the church Activity Center. A many children in grades one through six participated in this annual event. Several children in 2D set up and had their projects judged. Second grade topics included determining which robot was the fastest, exploring the color of the sky, what causes dry ice to explode, theories about black holes, and whether children recognized fast food characters more often than they recognized historical figures. You can find the answer to the latter experiment by clicking on the video below and learning the results of that experiment.

No April Fool's Joke

April 1st concluded Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week. Our parents are the most caring and amazing parents in the entire universe. Their creativity is mind-boggling and their food rivals any top chef's creations. The breakfasts, lunches, and desserts/snacks were "to die for". Now add a sense of humor to that combination and you will understand why Mrs. Dengel is constantly amazed at not only the product, but the quality of each year's Teacher Appreciation Week celebration. This year the week concluded with an assembly in the RAC with our parent volunteers hosting a parody of the Oscars. The first video shows one of our parents firing-up the students for the red carpet Oscar "Teacher Awards". The second video was filmed by a student in Mrs. Dengel's class. Ava asked if she could film Mrs. Dengel when she was called forward. Ava assured Mrs. Dengel that she had used a flip video camera before and knew exactly what to do ... and she did. Bravo, Ava! You did an outstanding job. Give our future videographer a pat on the back next time you see her.